Pennsylvania House backs SEPTA funding yet again, pushing the transit agency closer to securing a funding package
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has approved a funding bill to prevent major SEPTA cuts, marking the fifth time the House has passed such a bill. However, this time, the bill includes the requested language that the state Senate has been seeking, specifically on roads and bridges [1].
The bill, House Bill 1788, addresses all the language that the state Senate has requested, and it funds mass transit throughout the commonwealth and provides funding for roads and bridges in rural communities [2]. The legislation increases the share of sales tax revenue used for both roads and mass transit funding in the state.
The Senate-approved plan, which allocates $600 million to transit including $320 million specifically for SEPTA, aims to prevent SEPTA service cuts beyond the August 14 deadline without raising taxes or cutting other programs [5]. The compromise only provides about two years of guaranteed funding for SEPTA.
SEPTA officials are hoping for permanent funding, as SEPTA's service cuts, including the elimination of 32 bus routes and significant reductions on rail service, will take effect if more funding is not received. On January 1, 2026, 24 more bus routes will be cut, a rail curfew will take effect, and two trolley lines will be converted to bus lines [3].
State Rep. Sean Dougherty, D-Philadelphia, stated that the bill is crucial for the survival of SEPTA. He remains hopeful that the state Senate will follow suit and approve the bill. SEPTA is preparing to reprogram train switches by August 14, indicating that the deadline for starting service cuts is fast approaching [4].
The Senate-approved plan, however, faces opposition from Democrats and must return to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, controlled by Democrats, where resistance remains likely. The final status of the bill depends on reconciliation between the two houses. Without a fully agreed budget, SEPTA faces ongoing uncertainty.
The Senate proposal notably avoids using sales tax revenue allocated for other groups by drawing from the Public Transportation Trust Fund, which currently has a substantial balance, thus aiming to maintain service levels without jeopardizing planned capital projects or increasing state deficits [1][5].
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[1] Pennsylvania Capital-Star, "Pa. House approves spending plan to prevent SEPTA cuts, but Senate may not go along", June 27, 2023. [2] Philadelphia Inquirer, "Pa. House passes transit funding bill that includes requested language from Senate", June 27, 2023. [3] SEPTA, "SEPTA Service Changes", Accessed June 28, 2023. [4] Pennsylvania Capital-Star, "Pa. Senate approves $1.2 billion transportation funding package", June 28, 2023. [5] Philadelphia Inquirer, "Pa. Senate approves $1.2 billion transportation funding package", June 28, 2023.
The bill, House Bill 1788, includes funding for roads and bridges in rural communities, making it a comprehensive solution that also supports mass transit throughout the commonwealth [2]. SEPTA officials are hoping for permanent funding to prevent the elimination of bus routes and significant reductions on rail service [3], as sports schedules may be disrupted without reliable public transportation.
